A Brief History of Gay Frèr: Bracelet Kg | Bob's Watch Rolex Blog

Contents:

• A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAY FRèR
• GAY FRèR – THE BRACELET BROTHERS
• HISTORIL PERSPECTIV GAY FRèR, MUCH MORE THAN A SIMPLE MANUFACTURER OF WATCH BRACELETS
• GAY FRèR A VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD ROLEX PRINT BRACELET MA BY GAY FRER, CRI 1968
• GAY FRèR — THE MOST IMPACTFUL PARTS SUPPLIER OF ALL?
• THE SUCCS STORY OF THE MANUFACTURER GAY FRèR
• GAY FRER
• GAY FRER BRACELET

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAY FRèR

There were other pani that manufactured metal bracelets for wristwatch; however the novative signs of Gay Frèr, along wh the pany’s nsistently strong build, qualy and craftsmanship, earned them the dtry’s top spot. Stals steel is signifintly harr and more difficult to shape than gold, and nsequently requir a level of expertise craftsmanship that only a few pani at the time (other than Gay Frèr) would have been able to supply, let alone manufacture on a large sle.

GAY FRèR – THE BRACELET BROTHERS

Due to their unrivaled expertise and experience manufacturg watch bracelets om stals steel, Aumars Piguet approached Gay Frèr for the tegrated bracelet on their now-inic Royal Oak.

Four years later, Patek Philippe also reached out to Gay Frèr; however this time was for help wh the bracelet on their newly-signed petor to Aumars Piguet’s Royal Oak: the Ntil. While was Gay Frèr that manufactured the very firsts metal bracelets for Rolex durg the 1930s, thgs would ultimately e full circle for the legendary bracelet maker 1998, when Rolex purchased the historic pany as part of an ongog effort to acquire past suppliers and vertilly tegrate all aspects of their productn procs. Possibly the most imprsive feature about Gay Frèr was the pany’s abily to produce a seemgly endls variety of wonrful and distct bracelet signs that would perfectly pliment an impossibly diverse range of wristwatch.

Throughout their long and illtr history, Gay Frèr manufactured bracelets for everythg om nservatively signed drs watch of the 1950s, to chunky and overtly sporty chronographs om the 1970s. When the foc of certa manufacturers shifted toward creatg chronographs and other profsnal watch the 1960s and 1970s, Gay Frèr opted for new signs, and prented pani such as Her wh Oyster-like fold lks. They weren’t brothers but the bs remaed a strong fay ncern throughout s lifetime and was fact beg n by scendants of Jean-Pierre, brothers Jacqu-Hubert and Jean-Franis Gay durg the 1970s.

HISTORIL PERSPECTIV GAY FRèR, MUCH MORE THAN A SIMPLE MANUFACTURER OF WATCH BRACELETS

Whilst the horology-foced aspects are what make Gay Frèr (GF) as famo as they are, the artisan jewellery that they ma the 1960s and 70s is some of the most sought after by llectors. This utilarian bracelet n be seen as an early eratn of the Oyster bracelet, which was signed by Gay Frèr wh Rolex and is still today one of both brands’ (Rolex and GF) most inic and endurg creatns. Intertgly, the trend towards stals steel s the 1930s allowed Gay Frèr to prosper as this metal is nsirably harr to craft than gold, and therefore requir a lot of specialized craftsmanship, fely one doma where Gay Frèr had special expertise.

When the foc of certa manufacturers shifted toward creatg chronographs and other profsnal watch the 1960s and 1970s, Gay Frèr opted for new signs, and prented pani such as Her wh a beads-of-rice bracelet flanked wh Oyster-like fold lks. Still fay-owned, n by the brothers Jacqu-Hubert et Jean-Franis Gay, the bracelet maker was Geneva’s largt and most profsnalized factory, wh more than 500 specialists their employ.

GAY FRèR A VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD ROLEX PRINT BRACELET MA BY GAY FRER, CRI 1968

Gay Frèr was ed born a chaiste, the French word for a pany that manufactur chas for pocket watch (and margally for jewelry, a trend om the 16th century that eventually me back three centuri later and culmated wh the fashn of the pendifs the 1920s).

While prec necklac and bracelets ma a natural extensn, Gay Frèr also offered the other classil jewelry ems cludg rgs, one even featurg the ram that n be found on the clasp of s watch bracelets. A look at the yearly talogs om the prtig exhibn Montr Et Bijoux Genève is extremely revealg: Gay Frèr always exhibed some sophistited necklac and ornate bracelets, and never any of the more "mon" watch bracelets that was manufacturg mass quanti at the time (for that was attendg the Basel tra show).

GAY FRèR — THE MOST IMPACTFUL PARTS SUPPLIER OF ALL?

In talkg wh prev Gay Frèr employe now craftg impossibly th bracelets for Piaget, we got to disver that was the jewelry piec which had shaped their skills and allowed them to e up wh more advanced watch bracelets afterwards. This jewelry appears much ls at ctn, at least wh the Gay Frèr provenance highlighted, probably bee is ls distctive than the bracelets wh their strikg GF markgs (the other known mark is the number 32 drawn a key). Yet, our opn they would be as tertg a tch as any rare watch bracelet, bee they tell so much about how Gay Frèr beme the preement maker of watch bracelets the 20th century, highlightg aga a lk between jewelry and watch that is too often ignored.

Gay Frèr ma Rolex’s first oyster bracelets, however, the bracelets were ially not offered as a standard optn Rolex’s own talogs, partly bee they were, at the time a stly addn to the watch which most people didn’t prrize.

Wh nickel-fished lever movement, 15 jewels, the silvered enge-turned dial wh Arabic numerals, blued steel open square hands, subsidary sends, octagonal se wh led bezel, screw back and screw down crown, together wh an 18k gold Gay Frèr mh bracelet, se, dial and movement signed. Startg: $9, 000Gay FrèrA VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD ROLEX PRESIDENT BRACELET MADE BY GAY FRERES, CIRCA 1968Material: 18k yellow goldClosure: foldg claspSize: approximately 165 mmSigned: bracelet signed Rolex and stamped Gay FrerAccsori: none18k yellow gold Rolex Print bracelet wh foldg claspArguably the world’s most important watch bracelet manufacturer, Gay Frèr was found by Jean-Pierre Gay and Gaspard Tissot 1835. GayCategoryVtage 1960s Swiss Contemporary Wrist WatchMaterials18k Gold, Yellow GoldGay Frèr, France Estate Wood and Gold Lk BraceletBy Gay FrerLoted New York, NY spacers, 18k.

THE SUCCS STORY OF THE MANUFACTURER GAY FRèR

HisCategory1990s Swiss Contemporary Clip-on EarrgsMaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold, EnamelGay Frer 1960 Paris Fele Enamel and Wood Bracelet 18kt Gold wh RubiBy Gay FrerLoted Miami, FLFel bangle bracelet signed by Gay Frer. Betiful statement piece, created Paris FranceCategoryVtage 1960s French Mornist BanglMaterialsRuby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, EnamelGay Frer 18 KT Yellow Gold Panther Earrgs wh. Digned by Gay FrerCategory1990s European Contemporary Clip-on EarrgsMaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow GoldGay Frer 18ct Gold And Ebony Wood Stalln Head Bangle Cir 1970sBy Gay FrerLoted London, GBAn 18ct gold and woon stalln’s head bangle by Gay Frer c.

1970s, the open by-pass style bangleCategoryLate 20th Century Swiss BanglGay Frer 1950 Paris-Geneva 1950 Retro Stardt Explosn Necklace 18Kt GoldBy Gay FrerLoted Miami, FLImprsive Stardt necklace signed by Gay Frer. A rare and one-of-a-kd sculptural vtageCategoryVtage 1950s French Post-War Choker NecklacMaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow GoldGay Frer - Earrgs wh by, hemate and diamonds 18k yellow goldBy Gay FrerLoted The Hague, ZHGay Frer - 18 kt yellow gold earrgs set wh by, hemate and brilliant cut diamonds. 50 ctCategoryVtage 1970s French Morn Clip-on EarrgsMaterialsHemate, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow GoldGay Frer 48 Grams Platum and 32 Grams 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lk BraceletLoted New York, NYFound Geneva 1835 Gay Frer was the most renowned metal worker of the 20th century.

GAY FRER

Excellent ndnCategory20th Century French Retro BraceletsMaterialsDiamond, Whe GoldSixti French Anchor Cha Gold BraceletBy Gay FrerLoted Lchfield, CTCir 1960s, 18k, by Gay Frer, France.

This phenomenal 18k yellow gold bracelet is the epomeCategoryVtage 1960s French Lk BraceletsMaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow GoldBueche Girod Ladi Yellow Gold Carved Wood Ln’s Head WristwatchBy Bueche GirodLoted Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAThe piece bears French hallmarks and appears to be om the Gay Frer llectn, although isCategoryVtage 1970s Wrist WatchMaterialsEmerald, Yellow GoldRolex Two Steel and Rose Gold wh Origal Dial and Ladr Bracelet om 1942By RolexLoted Long Beach, CA seldom see this mol such origal ndn.

It is is fted wh a perd Gay Frer Ladr, orCategoryVtage 1940s Swiss Art De Wrist WatchRolex Steel Classic "Bubble Back" wh Origal Dial and Ladr Bracelet, 1949By RolexLoted Long Beach, CA Thunrbird Mached Bezel and lastly, has a rare and origal Ladr Bracelet by Gay Frer. It n alsoCategoryVtage 1940s Swiss Mornist Wrist Watch1945 Rolex Platum Diamond Set Le Tennis Style Jubilee Bracelet WatchBy RolexLoted New york, NY bracelet supplier, Gay Frèr, also monly celebrated for producg many of Patek Philippe’s mostCategoryVtage 1940s Swiss Retro Wrist WatchMaterialsDiamond, Whe Diamond, PlatumRecent SalGay Frer NecklaceBy Gay FrerLoted Lchfield, CTCir 1910s, 18k, Gay Frer, Geneva wh French Import Marks.

GAY FRER BRACELET

This 62 ch long 18k yellow goldCategoryVtage 1910s Swiss Cha NecklacGay Frer Long Gold Filigree NecklaceBy Gay FrerLoted Lchfield, CTCir 1920s, 18k, Gay Frer, Swiss wh French Import marks. This tritely signed gold chaCategoryVtage 1920s Swiss Art De Cha NecklacGay Frèr Lapis Lazuli and Gold ChaBy Gay FrerLoted Amsterdam, NL each set wh two lapis lazuli panels cross set, wh an visible lock, signed: Gay Frèr, FranceCategoryVtage 1970s French Lk NecklacMaterialsLapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k GoldGay Frer Wood and Gold Leopard BangleBy Gay FrerLoted New York, NYAn 18 karat yellow gold, enamel, by and ebony leopard bangle by Gay Frer, France. Cir 1960CategoryVtage 1960s French BanglGay Frer Leopard Diamond Emerald Brooch Earrgs Yellow Gold SetBy Gay FrerLoted Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Diamond & Emerald Leopard Brooch and Earrgs Set.

Wh 34 roundCategoryVtage 1970s French Drop EarrgsMaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k GoldGay Frer Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Elephant Hair, Onyx & Ruby Panther NecklaceBy Gay FrerLoted Beverly Hills, CAGay Frer Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Elephant Hair, Onyx & Ruby Stoir Necklace Vtage. Here is yourCategoryVtage 1970s French Pendant NecklacMaterialsOnyx, Ruby, Yellow Gold1970s Gay Frer Rams Head and Horn BraceletLoted Ccnati, OHA Charmg French bracelet by Gay Frer. The rved horn bracelet wh a 1" x 1" sapphire eyedCategoryVtage 1970s BanglMaterialsBlue Sapphire, 18k Gold1970s Gay Frer Paris Ruby Gold Horn Bangle BraceletBy Gay FrerLoted San Anton, TX18kt.